October 11, 2024
IMPORTANT DATES
MHMS Flu and Covid Vaccine Clinic - Oct 16th
Schools Closed for Students - Oct. 18th
MHMS Spirit Week - Oct. 21 - Oct. 25
MHMS Family Information Night - Oct. 24th
GCES/MHMS 5K and 1-mile Fun Run Oct. 26
Fall Fling - Oct 30th, 6 pm-8 pm
School Closed for Students - Oct. 31th
Refer to the Murray Hill Middle School website and the 2024-2025 HCPSS Calendar to stay up to date on events, school closings and early dismissals.
Murray Hill Middle School Families,
As part of a grant from the State of Maryland’s Connected Devices Program, our school is partnering with the Bright Minds Foundation and the Howard County Government to provide qualifying families with one free Chromebook and charger per household. This free new HP Chromebook can be used by your family to connect with our schools, access community services, or for any other purpose that would be of benefit to you.
In order to qualify for a free Chromebook and charger, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your family has not already received a free device from one of these organizations: Community Action Council of Howard County, Howard County Office of Children and Families, or Making Change;
- You are the parent or legal guardian of a student currently enrolled in HCPSS;
- You meet one of the income qualifications outlined on the application form; and,
- The application form is fully completed.
If you qualify for a Chromebook and have completed the Google Form application, you will be notified by Murray Hill Middle School when the device is available in November/December for pick up. At that time, an adult family member (at least 18 years old) will need to come to the school to receive the device. When you pick up the device, you will receive information about setting up the device and how to access technical support. These are not HCPSS devices, and will not come loaded with any HCPSS educational applications. HCPSS is not responsible or liable for the operation, loss, or repair of your Chromebook or charger. Families will be responsible for their own internet service. Families will have 5 days to exchange any non-functioning devices. Please read the instructions and complete the Free Chromebooks for Eligible HCPSS Parents or Guardians Google Form at this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8FpyBucpjYNcEiGc91ZNV8M1X-GCHPEqqOZSG7dhnHLII-A/viewform?usp=sf_link by Friday November 1, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Bryanna_walls@hcpss.org.
We look forward to partnering with the Bright Minds Foundations, Howard County Government, and you for this incredible opportunity!
THE WINTER BAZAAR IS COMING BACK TO MHMS!
The Winter Bazaar is a small store filled with items that students can purchase using their Gotchas (our school currency). Items can include books, candles, jewelry, games, household items, decorative items, baby items, toys, movies, CDs, etc. Anything you can donate would be appreciated! Students really enjoy being able to purchase these items for their friends and family. The Winter Bazaar will run in December, but we wanted to let the community know so that items can be saved and collected for this exciting event for our students. We will be collecting items starting on November 1st and continuing through December 6th. Donations can be dropped off in the front office or sent in with your student.
The Winter Bazaar is supervised by volunteers. Winter Bazaar will run December 9 through December 13 and takes place during all the lunch shifts (approximately 11:00 am through 1:30 pm). A lot of teachers are kind and give up their lunchtime to help supervise the Winter Bazaar, but we would also love to have some parent volunteers. Please consider marking your calendar now if you might be able to help supervise for even one day. An email with a link to sign up will be coming out as we get closer to the event.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Behrens (laura_behrens@hcpss.org).
Thank you for your support!
VOLUNTEERS AND SNACKS NEEDED
On Wednesday, October 30th, we will have our PBIS-sponsored Fall Fling dance. We need volunteers and snacks to help make this event successful. Please use this link to sign up to help with volunteering or snacks. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4CA4A928A7FD0-52186011-2024
Monetary donations would also be helpful and can be made through OSP (Online School Payments) using this link: PBIS Monetary Donation or cash or checks payable to MHMS can be sent to the school office marked "Fall Fling." Thank you so much for your support!
RESERVOIR HS MARCHING BAND FUTURE GATORS NIGHT
Join RHS on Thursday, October 17th. All students in grades 5-8 who will attend Reservoir are welcome. For more information, Flyer
HOWARD COUNTY DRUG-FREE EVENTS
Free Online Parenting Classes (Open to HoCo grandparents too) - HC DrugFree offers an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that helps parents, guardians and/or grandparents develop stronger relationships with their kids, while also providing skills proven to reduce the risk of youth engaging in substance use or other risky behaviors. More information Flyer
Medication and Sharps Disposal Take Back Day - HC DrugFree will host another convenient drive-thru medication and sharps collection on Saturday, October 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot (near the CA Swim Center). Bring unwanted and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medication, “sharps” (needles, syringes, and EpiPens), vapes without the batteries, inhalers, and more. Medication will be guarded and transported by the Howard County Police and DEA. For more information and to volunteer, go to https://hcdrugfree.org/currentevents/
Teen Advisory Council - The Teen Advisory Council (TAC) receives Community Service Hours for providing the youth perspective to HC DrugFree's staff and Board of Directors. Youth input increases the effectiveness of HC DrugFree's educational programs, newsletters, website and other services. TAC is open to Howard County students in grades 8 through 12 (public, private and homeschool) who meet monthly during the school year to discuss teen use of alcohol and other drugs and to develop educational messages that promote a vision of a county where youth are drug-free by choice. For more information and to register, go to https://hcdrugfree.org/currentevents/
OCTOBER IS LGBTQIA+ HISTORY MONTH
Let’s celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community's achievements! Click here for the LGBTQIA+ History Month Resource.
FREE COLD WEATHER GEAR
Free cold-weather gear, including coats, hats, gloves, and scarves, available for all ages and sizes—from infants to adults. Join us on Saturday, October 19th at the North Laurel Community Center. For more details, check out the attached flyer.
English PDF
Spanish PDF
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING OR CHAPERONING ON A FIELD TRIP?
Please complete the Volunteer training and send a copy either via email to anne_wilhelm@hcpss.org or send in hard copy with your students.
WEIS MARKETS WEIS4SCHOOL
Through the Weis4School program, you can earn cash for MHMS each time you shop at Weis. To register, simple scan the MHMS Barcode at checkout. Each time you shop at Weis, be sure to scan your Weis card to earn money for our school. Parent Letter
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ESSAY CONTEST
2025 Student contests in honor of Dr. King’s Legacy and win cash prize!
For more information, including deadlines and submission guidelines, please visit https://bit.ly/2025MLKContests
FAMILY FILE
Be sure to update your student/s family file (emergency card) . Your student will not be able to attend field trips and school-wide after-school events without this form completed. We need to be able to reach our families especially in emergency situations. We still have 213 students without updated emergency contact information! Having issues logging in to HCPSS Connect? Connect Issues Family File Instructions
FREE AND REDUCED MEALS
The 30 Grace period is almost up. Be sure to apply today, if you wish to continue receiving free and reduced-priced meals.
FARMS Application: Families must submit a new application every school year
During the first 30 school days, students with free and reduced-price meal eligibility from the prior school year will be carried over. Any student who has not filled out an application up to the 30th school day will have their prior year status changed to full pay status until a new application is received. Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. Also, it is very important that applications are filled out correctly.
ABSENCES TO SCHOOL
If your student is going to be absent, please send a message to MHMSAbsence@hcpss.org. The message will go directly to Ms. Janai Beck, who manages our daily attendance. Please take time to review HCPSS’s Attendance Policy 9010.
CLOTHING TO CASH
MHMS participates in the Clothing to Cash fundraising program. Clothing to Cash is a textile recycling program that donates money to the school for every pound of donated items. Look for the white donation bin at the bottom of the Murray Hill Middle School parking lot. Clothing to Cash will accept items in ALL conditions: new with tags, or torn, stained, worn-out knees, shoes with holes or only one shoe, backpacks, old sheets, towels, blankets, stuffed animals and more. What a great way to help the school and clean out your closets! All donations must be bagged and put in the collection bin. We appreciate your support!
